Kameido Tenjin Shrine

The Kameido-tenjin Shrine is where Michizane Sugawara, the god of learning and study, is enshrined. Everything at the shrine, including the main building, gates and bridges, is said to imitate Dazai-fu Tenmangu Shrine in Kyushu. This site has been known for its wisteria flowers since the Edo Period, and flower calendars for different seasons are available. The Ume (Japanese plum) Festival is held between late February and early March, when about 300 red-and-white Japanese plum blossoms bloom. Next, between late April and early May, some 50 wisterias bloom during the Fuji (wisteria) Festival. Early November is the season for the Kiku (Chrysanthemum) Festival, where mothers surround the front of the main shrine as if to comfort Michizane Sugawara. Also of note are three bridges — Otoko-bashi (male bridge), Taira-bashi (flat bridge) and Onna-bashi (female bridge) — that symbolize the past, present and future. A 14-minute walk from JR Kameido Station or a 15-minute walk from Kinshicho Station brings you to the shrine.